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The multiple generation workplace gets a sitcom

When we watched a TV commercial for a new show and heard the tagline “Man vs. Millennial,” we knew CBS had caught our attention.

The Great Indoors is a new show coming out October 27 that pokes fun at the challenges and opportunities of the multiple generation workplace Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers. (Disclaimer: We didn’t write the show and we have only seen the two previews below.)

In the 4 minutes clip below, a human resource manager makes the statement: “We offer an entire class on how to deal with them (Millennials)!” Since VPI Strategies offers a popular multiple generation workplace training, it’s nice to see this topic is getting some prime time attention!

VPI Strategies is passionate about helping organizations understand the multiple generation workplace. We teach proven ways to leverage generational similarities and differences to accomplish goals more effectively. We will be watching and invite you to let us know what you think.

The Great Indoors

is an upcoming American sitcom television series starring Joel McHale. CBS placed a pilot order on January 29 and a series order on May 13, 2016. The series is set to premiere in the 2016–17 United States network television schedule on October 27, 2016, at 8:30 pm.

Plot: Jack has made a name for himself as an adventure reporter for the magazine Outdoor Limits. His days of exploring the world end when the magazine’s founder, Roland, announces its move to web-only publishing and assigns Jack to supervise the Millennials who make up its online team.

Are you a Generation Xer and experiencing communication challenges with Millennials, Generation Z, or Baby Boomer colleagues or employees? Curious to learn what has motivated and influenced the work styles of your Generation X colleagues? Check out these insights into Generation X:

Generation X’s Expectations About Delegation & Management

As the first generation of latch-key kids, parents gave Generation Xers the creative latitude to get things done at home. They expect the same from their employees and colleagues. They make projects their own and they expect to set deadlines and make expectations clear. Tensions abound when Gen X feels micro-managed. Generation Xers prefer to honor the decided-upon definition of success confident they have the skills to accomplish the goal. Generation X has these same expectations as managers and leaders.

Their experience of being latch-key kids resulted in Generation Xers growing up with autonomy and becoming fiercely independent. “Whether it was learning to cope with the neighborhood bully or sweet-talking our parents into letting us stay home alone while they went on vacation,” Generation Xer, Alexandra Levit explains in Fast Company “many of us knew how to use words and persuasion to problem-solve and solicit cooperation.”

Generation X Offers Their Own Solutions to Communication Challenges

“Heading off to college and our first careers, the electronic age really started heating up” explains Generation Xer, Anna Garvey. “Generation X came of age just as the very essence of communication was experiencing a seismic shift, and it’s given us a unique perspective that’s half analog old school and half digital new school.” Think sound byte processing and video games. Rather than wailing, “Why won’t someone understand us?” Generation X is more apt to concentrate on things they can control — results. Oriented to results versus process, they have a direct, no-nonsense communication style. Impatient with flowery explanations, Monday morning weekend woes and too much backstory, Generation Xers will expect the same from employees and colleagues. Succinct, relevant bullet points work just fine for them. That applies to everyday conversation — and performance reviews. Bottom Line:Save time. Get to the point — FAST. Don’t be afraid to say what you mean.

Generation X Prepared to Be Leaders

“To be sure, not every Generation Xer grew up the same way or acquired the same skills through their experiences. But our careers have tracked the rise of the digital workplace, and the foundation that’s given many of us may pay dividends in helping us navigate the Boomer brain drain” concludes Generation Xer, Alexandra Levit. Often Generation Xer’s emotional intelligence, confidence to work independently, and direct communication styles are skills companies need most in their new leaders. Levit concludes that “the research suggests that Generation Xers are uniquely prepared for those roles – not just next in line for them.”

They Are Living Out Their Own GenXpectations

Gen-Xers entered the workforce in the midst of large corporate layoffs in the 1980s or the dotcom bust in the mid-1990s. Startup culture and entrepreneurship was not the norm. Gen-Xers “watched their parent’s loyalty and overtime rewarded by layoffs and downsizing – this may contribute to their cynicism,” explains Joanie B. Connell, PhD. Unlike their Boomer predecessors, Generation X concluded they did not want to be married to their work. Forget about two hour meetings. Generation X wants a lot less talk and lot more action. Generation X values getting their work done in less time and enjoy their time outside of work. Think Freedom, Family, Fun, and Friends. Generational research tells us Generation X is efficient, works smarter not harder and values leveraging technology in a rapidly-changing vista.

About the Authors: Sherri Petro and Ilana Herring

As a generational expert, Sherri Petro knows we have the keys to the kingdom by understanding the attributes of the multiple generation workplace comprised of Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. By leveraging her experience, expertise and education, Sherri can illuminate multiple possibilities, identify roadblocks and assist individuals and organizations to achieve desired results. Check out Sherri’s website to read about her popular speaking topics and why organizations seek out her generational expertise.

Ilana Herring is VPI Strategies’ internet marketing strategist. Ilana loves learning about the multiple generations because it helps her better understand herself and the world around her. She is fascinated by all things digital and social, and enjoys exploring the world wide web for news and information about Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z.

About Generational Training Webinars

VPI Training Webinars are a popular option for organizations of all sizes and budgets.

VPI’s Training Webinars begin with data-driven, level-setting awareness. Clients choose from a number of different skill-building topics that will help improve communication, build marketing strategies, increase team performance, promote innovation and creativity, and retain top performers.

Webinar sessions are based on specific problems that you are facing with your workforce, and can be tailored to meet your specific needs. They use the latest research in combination with real world examples to help you improve the overall productivity of your workforce by eliminating unnecessary conflict and misunderstanding.

Specifically for our generational workshops, we ask: are younger workers really different in their values, attitudes, motivations, work styles and decision-making processes than older workers? Or are they just different because they are younger? Are you seeing issues within your work place due to different attitudes from different age groups? Research shows that each generation is shaped by the historical and social events they experience in the formative years between ages 5 and 18. These experiences influence attitudes towards authority, loyalty, communication, feedback and recognition, and work ethic. At the same time, workers also share many attitudes across generational cohorts. Understanding both these differences and similarities, and which factors really influence employee motivation, retention, and engagement are critical to building a successful workforce.

Listen here to an interview with Generational Expert & Webinar Trainer, Sherri Petro. Although this interview is of course not the same as a webinar training, it will give you the opportunity to hear why Sherri is passionate about generational training and a taste of what you can expect when you hire TEAM VPI.